The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has inaugurated a Project Development Committee (PDC) for the Gateway Inland Dry Port (IDP) in Papalanto, Ogun State.
Oyetola was represented by the Director of the Federal Department of Fishery and Aquaculture, Wellington Omoragbon on Wednesday.
He explained that move underscores the government’s commitment to sustainable economic growth through the Blue Economy.
According to the minister, the committee membership reflects a crucial multi-stakeholder approach, comprising representatives from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, (FMMBE) the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Ogun State Government, and the designated Concessionaire, Arise Group.
He specified the leadership structure as follows: The Permanent Secretary of the FMMBE, Olufemi Oloruntola, will serve as the Chairman, the Director of Maritime Services and the Executive Secretary, the NSC will serve as Co-Chair and Member, respectively.
To safeguard institutional knowledge, the Secretariat is mandated to be domiciled within the Inland Container Depot (ICD) division of the Ministry.
The Mandate of the Project Development Committee (PDC) includes: Formulating a comprehensive and workable roadmap for the efficient commissioning and sustained cargo flow of the Dry Port.
Establishing necessary liaison frameworks with all pertinent Federal and State stakeholders, Designing targeted strategies to effectively sensitize stakeholders regarding operational procedures for Dry Port utilization.
Lastly, Overseeing and coordinating all procurement activities in strict compliance with the ICRC Act 2005 and the Public Procurement Act 2007.
Earlier, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Shippers Council, Pius Akutah acknowledged the Minister’s steadfast dedication to nationwide transport infrastructure development.
Akutah stated that the Minister’s leadership has instilled renewed momentum in the logistics sector, strengthening the collective resolve to build an integrated transport system supporting Nigeria’s economy.
The executive secretary in a statement by the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations Anastasia Ogbonna, added that Inland Dry Ports function as vital inland extensions of seaports, serving as economic growth catalysts by linking producers and exporters directly to international trade arteries.
The Gateway IDP is historically significant, forming part of the Federal Executive Council’s 2006 approval for establishing six Dry Ports across the Geo-Political Zones via the Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
